India demands ‘Immediate & safe return’ of Air Force Pilot

February 27: India issues demarche to Pakistan, demands immediate and safe return of its Air Force Pilot. India on Wednesday summoned the acting High Commissioner of Pakistan and demanded the immediate and safe return of an IAF pilot who was captured by Pakistan following an aerial engagement by air forces of the two countries.

Pakistan initially claimed it had two Indian pilots, but amended later that “there is only one pilot” and he is being treated “as per norms of military ethics”. In various videos circulated by Pakistani accounts, the pilot was seen blindfolded and wounded, his arms tied behind his back, being interrogated. The videos were taken off as Pakistan faced allegations of violating the Geneva Convention for prisoners. Later, a video showed the pilot sipping tea, saying that “officers of the Pakistani army have looked after me well”.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has also made it clear to Pakistan that no harm should be caused to the IAF Wing Commander. New Delhi conveyed strong objection to Islamabad at the “vulgar display” of an injured personnel in violation of all norms of International Humanitarian Law and the Geneva Convention.

The Geneva Conventions are a series of treaties concluded in Geneva between 1864 and 1949 for the purpose of ameliorating the effects of war on soldiers and civilians. The conventions were established as a result of Red Cross founder Henri Dunant pushing for negotiations to help the wounded in time of war in 1864.

During the Kargil War, Flight Lieutenant Kambampati Nachiketa was captured after his MiG-27 suffered a flameout while destroying enemy positions in the Batalik sub-sector. Flight Lt Nachiketa was captured by Pakistan on May 27, 1999 and remained in Pakistani custody for more than a week. He was repatriated to India on June 3 of that year. Now, once again India will have to wage a diplomatic war to get IAF pilot Abhinandan Varthaman back.